Roaming dogs endanger wildlife

January 17, 2014

This cute koala was meant to be one of the “lucky ones” … but having escaped the worst of North Stradbroke Island’s firestorm using his natural instinct to seek safer ground, he was mauled by domestic dogs near Dunwich.

The dogs – family pets – were roaming free despite the fact that, by law, they were supposed to be restrained with a leash, or at least enclosed in a yard.

Unfortunately Ziggy – as he was affectionately named – is now a statistic. He had to be euthanised despite the best efforts of wildlife carers to nurse him back to health.

Today, as North Stradbroke continues to recover from the two-week fire sparked by lightning on December 29, wildlife carers have joined with Traditional Owners to tell Ziggy’s story in the hope both residents and visitors will do their bit to help in the healing of Naree Budjong Djara (‘My Mother Earth’) and its beautiful surrounds.

Redland City councillor Craig Ogilvie – whose Division 2 takes in North Stradbroke – said dog attacks were an all-too common problem on the island but it’s now even more critical for owners of domestic pets to ensure native fauna has a fighting chance.

“This is nothing more than what’s required by law but it’s even more crucial right now because a lot of wildlife has moved to new habitat and is highly vulnerable to attack,” said Cr Ogilvie.

Council’s animal management officers will have an increased presence on the island at this critical time to help ensure dogs are kept on leashes. Fines of $220 apply if dogs are off-leash out of designated areas.

“A significant number of injuries we deal with are a result of domestic dogs not being under control,” said Mr Grimmett, who is also the convenor of the Stradbroke Wildlife Forum. “People particularly should keep in mind that off-leash areas do not mean people do not have to have their dogs under control.

“If people are camping they need to control their dog 24 hours a day, especially at night – just because it was curled up outside the tent when they went to bed does not mean it didn’t wander around searching for prey.”

Mr Grimmett said pet owners could also ensure accommodation providers claiming to be pet-friendly were also “wildlife friendly”, and offered enclosures to protect native flora and fauna from wandering pets.

“We get too many animals that are torn to bits because of dogs – a bit of common sense would go a long way,” he said.

Redland City’s Acting Mayor and Local Disaster Recovery Committee chairman Alan Beard said most of the public areas on Straddie – including all campgrounds – had now been re-opened although some tracks remained closed for public safety.

“Most of the most popular areas remain just as beautiful as they were before the fire,” he said. “Much of the fire burnt in inaccessible areas.

“There’s a multi-agency effort across all tiers of government to help with the island’s recovery and we are working closely with the Traditional Owners,” he said. “We just ask people to use common sense and do their bit to help in the recovery,” he said.

“We ask that they drive carefully on established tracks though burnt country as much of the landscape is very fragile and highly vulnerable to erosion. We also ask them to drive slowly, as much of the wildlife of the island has relocated to unburnt areas around the townships.”

Redland City’s Animal Management Committee spokeswoman Cr Wendy Boglary said Council officers traditionally stepped up their presence on the island for the holiday period and this would continue to reduce risks to wildlife and the public generally.

“Home Beach is the only off-lead beach area as well as Skatebowl Park at Dunwich between the skatebowl and the fenced area at the eastern end of the park,” she said.

“It’s important that everyone does what they can to help Straddie heal.

“People can avoid a fine of $220 by ensuring they exercise their dogs on leads, except in designated off-leash areas.”